Review: Imperfect Produce

Before baby I actually enjoyed going to the grocery store. I’d bring my list and browse the aisles, you know, adding unnecessary things to my cart. But the one area of the grocery store I absolutely hated going through was the produce section. Not because I don’t like fruits and vegetables. I mean, c’mon, who do you think I am? I just hated looking at the insanely ridiculous prices.

Enter Imperfect Produce. This is the best discovery I’ve made since having a baby. Good looking fruits and veggies has never been a preference for me. Just give me the goods. Imperfect Produce takes the produce that grocery stores won’t purchase because it’s not pretty enough, and sells it at significantly lower prices. Here’s how it works:

You pick what size box you want based on your family size. They let you know how many a box can feed when you go through the process.
You can choose between regular produce, organic produce or a mix of both. I chose to do a mix of both in order to have the most options.
You can choose delivery frequency. I get mine every other week, but you have the options for weekly deliveries.
You can customize your box. Every week is different so while some are staples, you may see some new items. You’ll get an email notifying when it’s time to customize your box.
They always deliver when it’s cool out, so for me, it’s between 6 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday.

Even though they’re imperfect to put out at grocery stores, the produce is still fresh and tastes great. I was skeptical to sign up at first, but have yet to be disappointed (I mean, who doesn’t love purple cauliflower, right?!).

Currently, Imperfect Produce delivers to the entire Bay Area here in California, as well as Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, Seattle and Chicago.

If you’re interested in trying Imperfect Produce, you can get a $10 credit when you sign up via this link.

Happy shopping!

Heading Back To Work: Bottle Feeding to the Rescue

This post originally appeared on RedTri.com.

There is nothing in the world like the smell of a newborn baby, especially when it’s your own (and your first!). Basking in the glory of your new bundle of love never gets old and as the days turn into weeks and those weeks turn into months before you know it, you have to get ready to go back to work.

As a breastfeeding mom who also works full time, I’ve needed to figure out how I can still give my little one my milk, all while still being able to maintain a successful career.

Since bottle feeding is my only choice when it comes to feeding my child while working, I didn’t want to use a bottle that would lead to nipple confusion. I still want my baby to latch and continue feeding at the breast when possible.

Finding bottles that wouldn’t result in nipple confusion is a trial and error experience. I’ve tried so many bottles from AVENT and Dr. Brown’s to Evenflo and Tommee Tippee.

Either my little one won’t take the bottle or she mimics bottle feeding on the breast, which is somewhat unpleasant. The nipples on the bottles I’ve tried are either too short, too thick, too thin or provides so much flow that my baby can overeat.

Enter nanobébé. Not only do these bottles mimic the breast, but are the first on the market to preserve the nutrients found in breastmilk, so you know your little one is still getting everything he or she needs. It’s nice to know that I can warm up stored breastmilk and not lose any of the antibodies and nutrients. (You can learn more about nanobébé here.)

Bottles Made for Pumping Moms Like Me

Like I said before, the shape of this bottle makes transitioning from breast to bottle and back super easy for my little one. There is little to no nipple confusion as the shape of the bottle mimics the breast.

What I also love about these bottles is that there is an attachment so you can pump directly into the bottle. Gone are the days of having to pump in separate bottles and then pour out the appropriate amount. It’s a one-stop-shop with these bottles.

Nanobébé also offers breastmilk storage bags and a little storage bin to go along with it, so keeping accurate amounts of breastmilk to then transfer to a bottle makes things easy when you’re working or on-the-go. This has been especially convenient when I’m having to have someone watch my little girl while I attend meetings or on a conference call.

Fast Warming

I’ve noticed the nanobébé bottles warm up so fast! It’s super convenient, especially when my baby is crying at night and I can’t feed her fast enough. With the way these bottles are shaped, overheating is prevented, making sure all the nutrients are maintained.

Before using these bottles, I had no idea that when you warm up breast milk in other bottles it depletes it of its nutrients! New mom brain, for sure on that one.

Quick Cooling

According to nanobébé, “The FDA states that bacteria in fresh breastmilk doubles every 20 minutes that it does not reach storing temperature (fridge or freeze). nanobébé’s unique surface area is geometrically designed to spread the breastmilk into a thin layer allowing it to cool twice as fast as standard bottles on the market, which prevents bacterial growth.”

photo by Leigh Weinberg

Easy-Peezy Cleaning

You’d think that with constantly going back and forth between bottles and breastfeeding that the cleaning and sterilizing of the bottles would be a pain. I have found that the nanobébé bottles are actually really easy to clean. They come apart smoothly (and not many parts to them, thank goodness!) and fit easily on any drying rack.

I do have to say that the nanobébé Slim Drying Rack makes things even ten times easier since the bottles fit the rack like a glove. Perk: you can store it anywhere when not in use as it’s so skinny! Keeps my kitchen organized, for sure. They can also easily stack in your refrigerator or, when not in use, in your cabinet.

My Husband Loves It, Too!

When my husband is home and I need to get some work done, all he has to do is take one of the breastmilk storage bags out and put it in a bottle, heat it up and voila! Our baby will have her meal.

If you’re like me and have already transitioned back into work after having a baby and are looking for bottles to make your life easier when you have to catch a meeting or a conference call, don’t overlook the nanobébé bottles.

Or, if you know a new mom that would greatly benefit from these bottles (and other products), nanobébé has a whole starter kit just for newborns. I know I’ll be heading to Babies”R”Us or buybuy BABY to grab some more of these to keep a constant ready-to-go stash for my little nugget!

Head to nanobébé to purchase a Newborn Starter Set or a Starter Set and receive 20% off + free shipping when you use code RedTri20 at checkout!

–all photos courtesy of nanobébé

10 New Mom Must-Haves

While I was pregnant and creating my baby registry, I was browsing a few friends old registries to see if there was anything I needed or yearned for. After being a new mom for a month, I’ve come to learn what has been super useful and what hasn’t. Here are my top 10 new mom must-haves (in no particular order).

1. Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

I cannot rave about this product enough. I love it so much I even bought a second one to keep in our bedroom since our little nugget will sleep with us till she’s around six months old. We use Water Wipes and this warmer works wonders on a baby’s tush. No crying because of a cold wipe and it also helps get the pee and poops off her legs faster since it’s warmer.

2. Arm’s Reach Concepts Inc. Clear-Vue in Natural

This bedside bassinet is everything. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner of the company when I attended the ABC Kids Expo back in October for Red Tricycle and got to see this in person before someone bought it for me from my registry. One side folds down so you can keep a close eye on your little one while they’re sleeping. Perk: it’s on wheels, meaning it goes everywhere I do around my house. Also, baby can sleep in it up to six months, which is great since we’ll be transitioning her to her crib at that point.

3. Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle in Green and Pink

Since our little one is having a hard time latching, I’ve been pumping and bottle feeding. Ultimately, I think this is the way we’re gonna go for a while, so I’m glad I discovered these. The slow-flow nipple is ideal so she doesn’t eat too quickly and with this bottle, she still attempts to latch to my breast, so there’s no confusion.

4. Little Martin’s Drawer Baby Nail File

courtesy of Amazon.com

This has been a lifesaver when it comes to “clipping” our little one’s nails. Instead of using actual baby nail clippers (which can nick their skin), it’s actually a nail buffer like what you see at nail salons. It truly doesn’t damage your baby’s skin if you accidentally touch their finger instead of their nail. Our little one loves getting her weekly manicures with this item. Note: it’s easier if you attempt while they’re dozing or asleep. They’ll be less likely to move!

5. Ubbi Odor Locking Steel Diaper Pail in Mint

If I could afford–and if it wouldn’t be stupid–two of these, I would. I’d keep one in my bedroom for those late night diaper changes and the other in the nursery. This thing is truly amazing. It does such a great job of hiding the odor from those dirty diapers and is easy to throw out once the bag is full. Just tie a knot at the top and toss it in your trash bin.

6. BEABA Babycook 4 in 1 Steam Cooker and Blender in Cloud

courtesy of Amazon.com

While I still have some time before I’ll be using this, I was able to see this product in person and get a walk through of it at the ABC Kids Expo this year. Once my little nugget will be introduced to blended solids, I’ll be using this like crazy to make my own blends.

7. Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

As a new mom, you hear horror stories of bottles and pacifiers and other necessities for your newborn getting bacteria and other nasty things on them because they aren’t sterilized. Instead of having to boil water multiple times a day, I wanted to find something that could be really useful for bottles, my pump equipment, pacifiers and basically anything that needs sterilizing. I just put everything in this sterilizer, put in the microwave for around 4 minutes and voila! Everything is steam sterilized and ready for use (once it dries, of course).

8. Boon Grass Counter Top Drying Rack

This goes hand-in-hand with the AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer. Once I’ve sterilized all my goodies, I’ll just throw them on this rack to air dry and within about a half hour, I can use what I’ve cleaned. Plus, it keeps things separate from my other dishes.

9. TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifer

My little one is a tad bit congested, so having a cool mist humidifier in our room has been really helpful. We turn it on at night and set the timer for 10 hours and it distributes a cool mist in our room, keeping our baby’s nose from drying out (although we’ve been using saline drops in her nose, too) and keeping the air not too dry. I highly recommend getting a humidifier for your little one during the winter months.

10. Metene Medical Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Since our nugget has been congested, I’ve been checking her temperature religiously to ensure that she doesn’t have a cold. This thermometer literally takes her temp in two seconds and can be used on the forehead or in the ear. It really looks like something out of Star Trek (nerdy pun!) and is truly a lifesaver.

What were your new mom must-haves? Even if you’re a second or third time mom, what are your go-to essentials. Let me know in the comments below!

Nursery Inspo: Kick Start Designing Your Nursery with Curated Nest

This post is sponsored by and in partnership with Curated Nest

At 34-weeks pregnant you would think that my little girl’s nursery would be completely set up and ready to go for when she arrives this December. Guess again. While my nesting instinct has kicked in in terms of getting the house cleaned up and organized for her winter arrival, my little one’s nursery is still very, very bare. The only thing I have in there right now is a full length mirror that has a frame I need to repaint, a desk lamp and and canvas art that reads “Spread the Sparkle.” With working full-time and being really tired at night, finding the time to actually sit down and order my nursery decor is surprisingly difficult for this soon-to-be millennial mama.

Enter Curated Nest. When interior designers – and recent first-time moms – Erin Coren and Lina Galvao were designing nurseries for the bundles of joy, they realized that new parents needed an easier way to shop and design their own nurseries. They needed a one-stop-shop. So Erin and Lina took their interior design talents and started Curated Nest, a website where soon-to-be and new parents can go to browse their creative nursery styles, purchase all the furniture and décor they need, or use their online interior design services for something truly custom.

Perfect for millennial parents who love to do everything online, Curated Nest’s online interior design service is an option not to miss if you’re waiting until closer to delivery to design your nursery. You can purchase the Petite Nest ($149) or the Dream Nest ($349) where you can have your nursery, toddler room or playroom custom designed for you by Lina and Erin.

The Petite Nest option is more of a kick start to designing your nursery. If you’re the creative type who just needs some guidance, this is probably the option for you. Here’s what you’ll get:

Complete a brief questionnaire and send back to Curated Nest so they can gauge your style.
Send Lina and Erin links to your Pinterest or Houzz boards, as well as any registries you have open as well as any photos of the room you can provide.
One week after you send them the questionnaire, links and photos, Curated Nest will send you a custom nursery style board with products tailored for your lifestyle and design.
You can purchase anything you like straight from your personalized link on their website.
While there are no revisions at the Petite Nest level, you can upgrade to the full online interior design service, Dream Nest, to reap those benefits, a complete personalized experience.

As for the Dream Nest, you can choose to design your nursery (toddler room or play room) and you’ll get everything in the Petite Nest package plus:

Revisions
Access to Curated Nest’s secret designer vendors
Floorplan showing exactly where every item will go
Personal shopping and checkout page
Detailed designer’s style notes and setup guide
Registry concierge where Curated Nest will help you share your custom design on your registry, build your registry and offer a 10% discount (Baby Nest option)

I had the fantastic opportunity to try out Curated Nest’s

After completing my questionnaire and sending links to my Pinterest board, Amazon and Babies ‘R’ Us registries, Erin and Lina scheduled a 30-minute call with me a few days later. We were able to get to know each other a little more (which is SO important) and they were able to gauge my style a bit better while I was able to see how well our personalities would mesh and how well they understood my vision for my little girl’s room.

One-week after that phone call, I received my style board. I have to say that Lina and Erin nailed it on the head with my style. I consider myself a classy-chic-subtle glam type and have a vision of greys, pinks, golds and whites for my baby’s nursery. My style board from Curated Nest was spot on. Here is my style board:

So in love with what they suggested, I ended up purchasing a few things right away: the rocking chair (the beige wasn’t calling my name, but the chair in grey was) and a fitted crib sheet they recommended with a floral, watercolor pattern. I’m considering buying a few more items as well, including the cat pillow, which they selected in honor on my original baby, my black and white cat! Perk: Lina and Erin only suggest products they’d buy for their own kids. That is a definite plus!

My overall experience working with Curated Nest was fantastic. Erin and Lina really listened to what I had to say during our phone call and I could tell they referenced my questionnaire, links and photos while creating my style board as it features products I would have picked myself. As a soon-to-be millennial mom, this is a service I highly recommend. I didn’t have to leave my house or get changed out of my comfy sweats and it keeps things simple and easy.

Check out the slideshow below for a close up of some of the products in my style board.

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Have you tried Curated Nest’s online interior design services before? I’d love to know in the comments below!

ABC Kids Expo 2017

One of the perks of working for a company like Red Tricycle is that I get to attend really cool conferences and last week I went to the 2017 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. I went with Red Tricycle’s editorial director and bump + baby account director and we met with some great companies. It was also a fabulous experience seeing so many baby and kid companies displaying their 2018 gear for everyone to test out and learn more information about.

I do have to admit that there was a bit of sensory overload since I’m an expecting mom, but it was all worth it in the end. Walking around 5 miles per day and talking with all these amazing vendors was a great experience.

There are so many products coming down the line in 2018 for companies and I just have to share some of my favorites that I saw.

What’s New

Three companies that caught my eye by either being new or offering new products this year were Bink Modern Safety, HNY Baby (pronounced honey baby) and Lulujo Baby.

Bink Modern Safety has the most stylish baby and kid proofing products I have seen in a long time. Their chic pastel-colored dot outlet covers will fit any room’s decor and are muted enough not to attract little ones to it. What’s new for the company this year and in 2018 is their magnetic blind cord. This keeps blind cords up and away from children (and animals!). Learn more >>

Along with their new products, Bink was showcasing their edge and corner covers called Bumpy. Bumpy is the first furniture bumper to be made from baby-friendly rubber instead of the normal foam or PVC. You can purchase in black or white, and like the dot outlet covers, they blend in well and wont attract your little one. Learn more >>

bink DOTS outlet child protectors

Bink Up & Away magnetic blind cord holder (upper right hand corner is the actual product)

The other new exhibitor at the ABC Kids Expo this year that caught my eye was HNY Baby. Based in Canada, HNY Baby sells their own brand of bandana bibs, multi-use nursing covers, sippy cup clips, pacifier clips and much more. Made from organic cotton, the bandana bibs will grow with your child from their newborn stage all the way into their toddlerhood. What drew me to their collection was the versatility of the products and the bright colors! How can you not love bright colors when you’re expecting a bundle of joy? I can’t wait to try out their products when our little girl finally arrives.

While walking around and admiring the displays, one that caught my eye for creativity and overall design was Lulujo Baby. Offering a vast array of baby swaddles, blankets, bath products, stroller clips and more, Lulujo Baby’s latest product is the “Baby’s First Year” blanket and card set. Each blanket is made from muslin and features a cute saying and wonderful design. Perk: they come with cards to capture your little one’s latest age! The one that stuck out to me the most is the “Isn’t She Lovely” blanket – obviously because I’m having a girl! Here are some pics of Lulujo’s fab display.

Other Favorite Finds

Like I said earlier, walking around was definitely sensory overload, but I’m excited I went. There are so many new products launching in 2018 including the Minu stroller from Uppababy, new macron color line for the Béaba Babycook (OBSESSED with the Rose Gold), a new pram from Silver Cross, new pacifier animals and Lovey’s from Wubbanub, new products from Graco, Nuk and Babyjogger and much more. I am so excited to see what’s in store for the baby-sphere in 2018 and I hope I get my hands on some of these products to fully review for all of you!

Browse the slideshow below for more of my photos from this year’s ABC Kids Expo.

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Lucy Belly Designs Etsy Store Launch!

I am so excited to share the fantastic news that one of my closest friends, Nina, has launched her Etsy store Lucy Belly Designs!!

Nina designs luxury leather bows for all ages and those who just want to rock a bow or bowtie! A little background about Nina straight from her Etsy page:

I started this shop to give me the creative outlet I crave while still having the flexibility needed to be a full time mom to my baby girl Lucy.

My background is in corporate retail, specifically home decor buying and product development. I started working with leather in 2013, and trained under Beatrice Amblard, who hails from The house of Hermès, for two years. At Amblard Leather Atelier I learned all of the skills needed to create works of art with leather. While I may not be creating handbags (as originally planned), I still utilize these skills when creating my bows. From pattern making to, cutting, gluing, sewing, and finishing; everything is done by hand and with the techniques I learned at Amblard. I use a variety of tools from both the U.S. and France. The luxury leathers I use are also sourced from the U.S., France, and Italy.

Now that you all know we’re having a baby girl, I cannot wait to get my hands on these bows! My little princess will definitely have a better hair accessories collection than I do.

What I like about Lucy Belly Designs is that Nina will craft bows for any age, so you’re not just limited to babies and toddlers. Her designs are reasonably priced, amazing quality and are great gifts!

Bow ties for the little man in your life will be launching in the store soon!

Check out the photos below to see some of the designs and her adorable daughter Lucy modeling the bows!

I hope that you check out Lucy Belly Designs and get your hands on some of these bows!

– all photos courtesy of Nina

Ubbi Blanket Buddies Review

One of the perks about working for a company like Red Tricycle is that we get to review products! Whether they’re for kids ages 3+ or even babies, companies rely on Red Tricycle to provide authentic information about a product.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to review Ubbi’s latest addition to their product line: the blanket buddies. These 100% cotton muslin blankets are so adorable! They come in pairs, ideal for any messy situation (so you always have a clean one on hand!) and they can be used as a blanket for nap time and a stuffed animal for when your little one wants to strut around town with a bestie. Here’s my full review for Red Tricycle:

I am also really excited to share that Red Tricycle is giving away a set of these blankets on Facebook! All you have to do is enter your email and you’re in the running to win a set.

I cannot wait to get my hands on these blanket buddies for when our little one makes their debut this winter.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! Good luck.

What’s your favorite Ubbi product? I’d love to know! Share in the comments below.